Can Tablet Computers Take Over?!

Will the tablet computer replace laptops, chromebooks, and even phablets?  The explosion of the tablet market since 2010 has seen Apple sell tens of millions of iPads, and Samsung sell even more!  Even lower end and knockoff brands have seen success in this odd market.

For people who already own a smartphone and a laptop, buying a tablet may seem like an unnecessary and expensive endeavor, since you already have devices capable of delivering seemingly similar features.  However, this fact has not stopped many people from adding a tablet to their collection of gadgets, but should you?

On their own, it is not reasonable to suggest that a tablet can completely replace either a smartphone or a laptop.  While you can get tablets highspeed broadband connectivity, and even the ability to make voice calls, the typical seven to 10 inch screen size means they cannot be pocketed on the way out of the house like a mobile phone cam.  Meanwhile tablets are actually more expensive than equivalently powerful laptops and lack the complexity of functionality and backwards compatibility with software and peripherals, which is possible using a Windows or Apple machine.


Some manufacturers have attempted to address the first issue by bridging the gap between smartphones and the tablet computer.  The Samsung Galaxy Note series is a good example of this hybridization.  With a 5.7 inch vibrant display and a stylus, it certainly gives the impression of being a larger tablet-style device while still being just about small enough to take with you without a separate bag or carry case.

From a commercial perspective, the Samsung Galaxy Note series has been a tremendous success, and is still considered the industries flagship model.  However, its display is still smaller than that of a full tablet, makes all the difference when it comes to watching video, viewing web pages and using apps.  Thus, this cross-over device seems to have carved out its own niche market.

To account for the disparity in functionality between a tablet computer and laptops, some manufacturers have introduced advanced docking stations to further blur the lines between the two form factors.  The Microsoft Surface series  with its detachable keyboard dock allowing users to be content creators, and not just content consumers.

You will still be paying more for the privilege of owning one of these tablets than you might for a competitive laptop with the same hardware.  Meanwhile the flexibility of the software remains relatively limited, even in an open source environment as offered on any Android tablet.  Of course, where tablets really come into their own is when used for consuming media, because you can lounge on a sofa or sit on a train, and enjoy the Internet and media playback more comfortably than when using a laptop, and on a larger display than is available on most smartphones or phablets.  The tablet computer is great if it fits in with your lifestyle and your budget, however, they will certainly not eliminate smartphones or laptops from the market any time soon!

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